A casting notice for the upcoming Bitcoin biopic, “Killing Satoshi,” reveals plans to utilize artificial intelligence not only for generating film locations but also for “adjusting” actor performances, according to a report published Friday by Variety.
The film, directed by Doug Liman and produced by Ryan Kavanaugh, will reportedly shoot entirely on a “markerless performative capture stage,” foregoing traditional on-location filming. The casting notice states producers reserve the right to “change, add to, take from, translate, reformat or reprocess” performances using “generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and/or machine learning technologies,” specifically to modify lip, facial, and body movements.
While the notice stipulates that AI will not be used to create digital replicas of actors’ voices or likenesses without prior written consent, the extent of permissible AI-driven alterations has sparked concern. The production intends to use AI to create backgrounds and scenery, aiming to “reduce the require for reshoots,” as stated in the casting call.
Ryan Kavanaugh, the film’s producer, has attempted to address industry anxieties, asserting that the production will not employ AI to replace human actors. “We will not have any AI-generated actors that do not exist,” Kavanaugh told Variety, framing the technology as a tool to enhance filmmaking efficiency and protect jobs.
The use of AI in “Killing Satoshi” arrives amid ongoing debate within the entertainment industry regarding the implications of artificial intelligence for performers. Protections for actors against unauthorized use of their likenesses and voices were a central issue during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations. Equity, the UK-based union representing actors, is currently engaged in negotiations to secure similar protections for its members, addressing concerns about the potential for AI to reproduce and exploit performers’ identities without consent.
“Killing Satoshi” stars Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson in currently undisclosed roles, and centers on the story of Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Production is scheduled to begin in the United Kingdom in late February and continue through March. The screenplay, penned by Nick Schenk, explores a shadowy network allegedly attempting to suppress the truth surrounding Nakamoto’s identity.
Liman, known for directing films such as The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, has previously been associated with ambitious and unconventional projects. The director once explored filming a project with Tom Cruise on the International Space Station, a plan that ultimately did not materialize.